Workers on the bike hire scheme in London are to stage a 48-hour strike next week in a row over pay and conditions.

Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport union employed by Serco on the so-called Boris bikes – nicknamed for London's mayor, Boris Johnson – will walk out from Sunday evening.

The workers, who move the bikes around the city and maintain them, voted in favour of action over pay, shift patterns and other issues.

The RMT general secretary, Bob Crow, said: "Despite talks with the company, we have not been able to make significant progress and so we now have no option but to announce strike dates this month."

A Serco spokesman, Andrew Hill, said: "Together with our recognised trade union Community, we have already reached an agreement on the issues the RMT have raised around pay and working pattern changes.

"This was achieved through a comprehensive, thorough and fair consultation with staff that resulted in a pay rise of 2%, which is above the national average and included other improvements to their terms and conditions.

"This strike action is therefore wholly unnecessary. We will make every effort to ensure that we minimise its impact for the thousands of Londoners who rely on the scheme to get around the city every day."